Quartet of returning senior captains set to lead Baldwin softball

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, March 22, 2026 | 11:01 AM

The Baldwin softball team advanced to the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs last season after narrowly missing out on a section championship.

The Highlanders tied for second with Trinity with a 9-3 record in Section 4-5A behind Thomas Jefferson, which finished 10-2.

“We expect to perform well (in 2026),” Baldwin coach Ron Santillo said. “We lost three big-time contributors, including all-state second baseman Ryley Shaw, but expectations never change. We expect to be very competitive and some new faces to step in. They are eager and ready to go.

“The girls have worked very hard in the offseason. They know what the expectations are; they don’t change — compete and continue to improve every day. There’s no secret formula.”

The Highlanders are led by senior team captains/fourth-year returning starters Reese Temme (OF), Avery Herrington (C/INF), Jordan Gerendash (INF) and Mackenzie Bowen (OF).

Temme is a four-time captain, a returning all-section selection, and one of six starters back on this year’s squad.

“Reese came into the program as a leader from Day 1,” Santillo said. “She’s a captain in every way through her positivity, drive and leadership on and off the field.

“The best part about Reese being named a captain as a freshman was that it was a team vote; as a freshman she made that kind of impact. She continues to give to this program.”

Sophomore Cam Temme (P/OF), Reese’s sister and a potential Division I prospect, and junior Melina Defelice (P/OF) also are returning starters. Temme logged a 7-2 record last spring while Defelice was 6-3 in the pitcher’s circle.

“Cam returns after an all-section pitcher/utility freshman year, as well as Melina, an all-section pitcher,” Santillo said.

Reese Temme has committed to Case Western, Gerendash will continue her career at Pitt-Johnston, Herrington is a Saint Vincent recruit, and Bowen will study pre-law at Duquesne.

“Kenzie is a multi-sport athlete who pushes everyone and sets the pace,” Santillo said. “A four-year varsity starter, Kenzie will leave Baldwin with 15 varsity letters — she’s competed in cross country, indoor track, outdoor track and softball — when she graduates. Kenzie is a tremendous athlete and Reese’s running mate in the outfield.

“A lot of our girls play multiple sports, and it’s great. It helps them to be well-rounded athletes, and Kenzie is the epitome of that.”

Notable newcomers for Baldwin this season include juniors Ava Bonacci and Teaghan Scanlon, sophomore Jules Ditoro and freshman Avery Lieu. All four are infielders.

“They are talented players that we expect to contribute in multiple ways,” Santillo said.

Cam Temme, Defelice, Bonacci and Scanlon, along with the four seniors, were letter winners in 2025.

“This group likes to compete, at everything,” Santillo said. “We work on fundamentals every day. It’s what we know to best prepare the girls to improve as players.

“It’s a game of failures and we approach it with repetition, a lot of footwork, speed and agility, and strength training.”

Baldwin started out 9-1 last year then won five of its next seven games. The Highlanders lost to North Hills, 4-3, in the first round of the playoffs to finish 13-6 overall.

Among the key players on last year’s club that graduated are Shaw, who had a .510 batting average, Kaylee Smolko (1B) and Gabby Juquay (3B).

Santillo is assisted by his daughter Carly, along with Steve Dadig and his daughter, Taylor.

Tags: Baldwin